Taoiseach Bertie Ahern welcomed a gathering of representatives of the main Christian churches, as well as Jewish and Muslim leaders and humanists, at a ceremony in Dublin Castle this afternoon. Mr Ahern told the gathering they would not try to “recreate a special or privileged relationship with any denomination or creed” during the discussions. “Rather the Government wants to inaugurate a new departure and an open dialogue with all denominations that is respectful of every faith and that is equally mindful of those who profess none,” he said.

A man in his 60s has been arrested after cocaine was seized in Dublin airport today. Three kilos of the drug were seized by officers from the Garda National Drugs Unit and Customs officials. The man was arrested at 1pm and taken to Santry Garda Station for questioning under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act. This seizure, depending on forensic analysis, has a potential street value of €210,000.